When it comes to keeping your pool looking sparkling clean and clear there are a few things you should know:
- Keeping your pools chemicals in balance is priority number one. You should check the chlorine, PH and alkalinity levels on a weekly basis, making adjustments when necessary. On a monthly basis you should check the conditioner levels as well as the calcium hardness. Every few months check for phosphates and Total Dissolved Solids. For specifics on how to check your chemicals head to our water testing page here.
- Another basic is maintaining your trap basket. Keeping a clean trap basket will prevent your pool from getting poor filtration. Make sure to empty the skimmer basket found in the deck near your pool as well as the filter pump basket. Your should check both of those weekly to ensure the pool runs smooth. Having a build up of debris in these baskets can lead to damaged equipment as well as throw off your pools chemistry.
- You should always keep an eye on your pool’s filter. Keeping a clean filter will make a huge difference with the quality of your water. Having a dirty filter will make it harder to maintain the chemistry of the pool as well as produce lots of unwanted algae. After cleaning your filter be sure to check the pressure level on your filters gauge, then clean the filter again when the pressure reaches ten pounds or more.
- Make sure your pool is circulating for an adequate amount of time each day. All of the water in the pool needs to filter at least once per day. This usually means running the pool pump for 5-10 hours each day. During warmer weather its best to run the pump during the day and for a longer period of time to avoid algae.
- Be sure to always keep your pool free of debris. Skimming the surface, vacuuming the bottom and brushing the sides of the pool will help to keep the surface clean and free of staining.
- Maintain proper water levels. The proper water level is half way up the skimmer. On most pools this means half way up the tile. Not having enough water will cause damage to the equipment and having too much water it will prevent the skimmer from working.
One last thing to check is your equipment area. Each week you should take a few minutes to observe your equipment area looking for any leaks and listening for any loud noises. Even though a problem may seem small or start out with just a drip, its always best to contact a professional before it turns into a costly repair.
We hope these tips will get you off to a good start in keeping your pool in excellent condition. If you have any questions about these tips or need a quote for a repair or service you can contact us anytime.
